Introduction
When it comes to looking and feeling your best, inside and out, it’s all about balance. That’s where glutathione—the master antioxidant—steps in. As we age, our levels of this essential nutrient decline naturally.
This often-overlooked antioxidant plays a crucial role in protecting your body from the effects of aging, and a lot of us may benefit from boosting our glutathione levels.
But no worries– I’ll help you learn what glutathione is, why it’s important, and the best sources of this powerful antioxidant so you can maintain your body’s natural balance with this super nutrient. Read on to learn more about it.
What is Glutathione
Glutathione is an antioxidant molecule produced by the cells in your body. This antioxidant is made up of three amino acids—cysteine, glycine, and glutamate. It helps protect cells from damage caused by free radicals which can lead to oxidative stress and other diseases such as cancer.
It helps neutralize free radicals, which are molecules that contain unpaired electrons that can damage cells and cause aging-related diseases. Glutathione also helps detoxify your body by binding to heavy metals and toxins, which allows your liver to process them more effectively.
Benefits
- Boosting your glutathione levels can have several health benefits for women. Since it works as an antioxidant, it can help reduce inflammation throughout your body and prevent cell damage caused by free radicals.
- Also, it helps support your immune system and aids in protein synthesis.
- In addition to its many health benefits, research has shown that glutathione may also help slow down the aging process.
- It has also been shown to improve brain function, enhance skin health, reduce joint pain, and boost energy levels. Additionally, since glutathione binds to heavy metals and toxins in the body, increasing your glutathione levels can help protect against environmental toxins as well as protection against alcohol consumption or smoking-related illnesses.
Best Sources
You can find high concentrations of glutathione in foods like:
- Fruit and veggies: Asparagus, grapefruit, strawberries, papaya, avocado, garlic; Spinach and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli or kale. And don’t forget about Brussels sprouts and cabbage.
- Nuts, seeds, and legumes like almonds, walnuts, brazil nuts, chia seeds, flax seeds or lentils
- Dairy products like yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese
- Proteins like chicken, salmon, or eggs
- Grains such as rice, whole grains, oats
- Additionally, foods high in vitamin C (citrus fruits) or E (nuts) can also help support the natural production of this essential nutrient. And don’t forget about dark chocolate!
As far as supplements, L-glutathione or N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) can help support your glutathione levels. Likewise, whey protein powder as well as herbs such as turmeric or ginger contain compounds that help support your body’s production of its own glutathione stores.
Supplements such as oregano oil, green tea extract, garlic, curcumin, Vitamin C, alpha-lipoic acid, and probiotics are also supportive. Smoking and drinking alcohol have been linked to decreased glutathione production so only do these 2 in moderation. Lastly, getting enough sleep and exercise can help increase your glutathione levels as it triggers the production of this powerful antioxidant in your body.
Conclusion
Glutathione is an important antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage caused by free radicals while aiding in boosting immunity and reducing inflammation.
As we age our levels naturally decline so it’s essential to incorporate more sources into our diets such as leafy greens like spinach or broccoli plus supplementing with whey protein powder or other dairy products along with antioxidants like vitamins C & E as well as selenium and ALA that can provide additional benefits when taken regularly.
If you’re a woman over 40, you should be aware of the importance of having adequate amounts of glutathione in your body – not only does this powerful antioxidant provide numerous health benefits but it also protects our bodies from oxidative damage caused by free radicals associated with aging processes.
By following these simple tips, you’ll be able to ensure that you have enough glutathione to meet your body’s needs at any stage of life! So go ahead – start including these simple tips into your daily routine today for optimal health and wellness tomorrow!
If you need more personalized help, I’d love to work with you! Apply for an Autoimmune Breakthrough Session with me to see if we’re a good fit to work together.
***Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice***
